PHILADELPHIA – The Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team (4-9, 1-3 A-10) will head to Atlantic 10 foe and city rival La Salle (8-5, 2-2 A-10) this Friday, April 18. Start time at McCarthy Stadium is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.

"Coming off of this game, the standards are high," said senior captain Brittany Hanrahan of heading into La Salle after SJU's 10-8 loss to Duquesne on Sunday. "We couldn't be more pumped. We have a lot to live up to, but it's a city rival and we couldn't be more pumped and excited. I think we're confident and we're going in with a chip on our shoulder. We know what we're going up against, so we'll be ready."

Hanrahan leads the defensive unit that includes fellow seniors Allison Heath and Kaitlyn McSwiggan and sophomore Caroline Hagan. This SJU back line leads the conference and rank second nationally in caused turnovers per game, averaging 13.46 per outting. McSwiggan ranks second in the Atlantic 10 with 1.69 per game as Heath, Hanrahan, and Hagan own the 3-5 slots in the league.

Saint Joseph's also leads the conference with 21.23 ground balls per game, led by conference leader, Saint Joseph's sophomore goalkeeper Genevieve Giblin (2.85). Giblin ranks second in the conference in saves and saves per game, while La Salle rookie goalkeeper Gabby Antonelli leads the league in save percentage (.488).

Senior defender Brittany Hanrahan leads the back line with 33 ground balls while classmate Allison Heath leads the team with 27 draw controls to go with 21 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers. Hanrahan and Heath have combined with senior Kaitlyn McSwiggan and sophomore Caroline Hagan for 82 of the team's total 175 caused turnovers as the Hawks rank second nationally in caused turnovers per game.

SCOUTING LA SALLEThe Explorers enter Friday's game on a two-game win streak as La Salle is 8-5 overall and 2-2 in the Atlantic 10. Having dropped its opening pair of conference games to UMass and Richmond, La Salle edged past Duquesne 10-9 last Friday and downed St. Bonaventure 13-6 on Sunday. Katelyn Fay, Caitlyn Brostrand, and Toni Massetti lead La Salle's offense while goalkeeper Gabby Antonelli (8-5, 2-2 A-10) sports a 9.08 goals-against average and .488 save percentage in 719:54.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST THE EXPLORERS Saint Joseph's is 11-5 all-time against La Salle and has won two of its last three against the Explorers. Last season, the Hawks downed the Explorers, 13-10, on Sweeney Field.

LAST TIME OUTRecap | Box Score | Photo Gallery | Video: Postgame ReportThe Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team battled for the entire 60 minutes, but the Hawks fell to Duquesne, 10-8, in Atlantic 10 action on Sunday afternoon at Sweeney Field. Rookie attack Nora McCallion boasted three goals and two assists to lead five Hawks in scoring. Sophomore midfielder Kelly Phelan was good for two goals and two assists while junior midfielders Julia Falcone and Hannah Hutchins and sophomore midfielder Courtney Emanuele netted one goal apiece. Rookie defender Maggie Egan was solid on the back line, boasting a team-best two ground balls and three caused turnovers in substantial minutes off the bench. Sophomore goalkeeper Genevieve Giblin (4-9, 1-3 Atlantic 10) made eight saves in a full-game effort.

MILESTONE WATCH: PAOLUCCI, BOWERSSenior attack Val Paolucci is just two points shy of 100 for her career as the senior standout owns 98 career points on 73 goals and 25 assists entering Friday's game against Richmond. Additionally, Paolucci's 25 career assists set her just four helpers shy of cracking SJU’s all-time career assists list.

Thanks in part to her school-recording breaking performance of seven assists against Delaware State, sophomore attack Emily Bowers owns 20 assists at this point in the season and ties for sixth with Lindsay-Kate McCool '06 on SJU’s all-time list for assists in a single-season.

HOME SWEET HOME: SWEENEY FIELD DEDICATIONSaint Joseph’s University formally dedicated Sweeney Field during a ceremony prior to the men's lacrosse game against Bryant on Saturday, April 5. The dramatic expansion of the field includes the addition of 2,300 seats, a stone facade featuring bronze Hawk statues, protective netting, a full-service press box and enhanced sound system.

Formerly Finnesey Field, the new name recognizes the contributions of Sean S. Sweeney ’94 (MBA), a member of the University’s Board of Trustees and the lead benefactor to the expansion project, which significantly enhances the gameday experience for student-athletes, fans and friends.Originally opened in 1929, the field currently serves as the home of Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse, in addition to the men's varsity lacrosse team and men’s and women’s varsity soccer team.